Tag: Ponant Cruises

Freshly refurbished Le Ponant hoists sails again

PONANT’s iconic three-masted sailing yacht Le Ponant, which was the founding ship where the PONANT story began, has undergone a major renovation ahead of her voyage to Australia to set sail for her inaugural Kimberley season in 2023.

After several months undergoing renovation at the San Giorgio del Porto yard in Italy, the yacht offers a remarkably private setting and has been entirely updated with cutting edge eco-responsible innovations. After an exclusive collection of itineraries in the Mediterranean, Le Ponant will spend the winter in the Seychelles before arriving in Australia in April 2023.

The newly imagined Le Ponant is an invitation to go sailing whilst recharging the batteries on voyages that respect the world around, where privacy and exploring with others go hand in hand with eco-responsibility.

When luxury and privacy combine with the magic of travel and eco-responsible navigation

Thirty years after her launch, Le Ponant has been transformed to provide guests with a unique travel experience. After undergoing a complete renovation, the ship now accommodates just 32 guests with a 1:1 passenger to crew ratio. The sleek, refined layout was designed by the Studio Jean-Philippe Nuel and Sterling Design International to create a sense of luxury, privacy and tranquillity that makes guests feel as if they are on their own private sailing yacht.

The 4 passenger decks provide 16 spacious staterooms including a 60m2 Owner’s Suite on the upper deck ‘Zephyr’ with a private balcony. The common areas have been refitted to allow guests to fully enjoy the panoramic gastronomic restaurant; to re-energise in the spa, wellness area or gym; or relax in the sun lounge area in an ambiance of quiet contemplation.

In line with the company’s policy, Le Ponant reflects an ongoing commitment to a more responsible tourism. The sailing ship is equipped with all the latest technologies to optimise emissions reduction: connecting to electricity grids where available in ports, using the sails, an innovative SCR filter system to eliminate fine particles and cut nitrogen oxide emissions by 90%, sorting waste and latest generation wastewater treatment. Every guest experience has been thought through to help protect the environment and heritage, such as non-motorised water sports and individual or small-group landings at ports of call with the focus on local heritage.

Uncrowded, Le Ponant offers guests the ultimate luxury invitation to enjoy authentic experiences and moments of rare privilege close to nature, under sail as the preferred mode of travel. On board, an expedition leader and naturalist guides share their unrivalled knowledge as they discover unusual treasures at sea and during ports of call. In addition to exclusive activities, on board and off, guests enjoy exquisite cuisine based on locally sourced ingredients.

Aboard Le Ponant, every detail has been included to offer a timeless experience; a voyage that awakens the senses within a bubble of exploration at its most authentic.

Ponant opens Kimberley 2023 Season!

Australia’s Iconic Kimberley

Image Credit: Ponant, Kimberly, Philip Chubert

Ponant has released sales for the highly anticipated 2023 Kimberley Expedition season for one of the company’s most popular expeditions for both adventure and beauty. 

Offering multiple departures between April and October 2023, the enormously popular 10-night ‘Australia’s Iconic Kimberley’ itinerary journeys between Broome and Darwin showcasing the wild and grandiose landscapes of the Kimberley on board Ponant’s Le Lapérouse or Le Soléal, both of which will be sailing throughout the season. 

Highlights on the itinerary include visiting the Hunter River inhabited estuarine crocodiles; discovering the King George River on a Zodiac® excursion and reaching the majestic Twin Falls, the highest in Western Australia; and a visit to Collier Bay to explore Montgomery reef. Sailing along one of the most spectacular coasts in Australia, the Kimberley’s falls, savannah, and tidal phenomena promise never to disappoint.

Environmentally friendly, fitted with state-of-the-art equipment and complete with lounges designed to be largely open to the exterior, Ponant’s modern, purpose-built, intimately sized ships offer a unique sailing experience, offering unparalleled comfort and luxury for exploring the region. Le Soléal provides 95% balcony accommodation while Le Lapérouse offers a balcony or private deck area for all accommodation. Both offer a selection of world-class dining options, open bar*, a spa and an outdoor swimming pool.

Both purpose-built ships offer the perfect base camp to relax after spending days on immersive expedition experiences on Zodiac® outings and shore excursions with PONANT’s knowledgeable expedition team.